Ocasio quickly adapting to KWU

Friday

Sep 15, 2017 at 3:25 PMSep 15, 2017 at 3:25 PM

Bob Davidson @rjdshocker77

A year ago KaJuan “K.J.” Ocasio was enjoying the sun, sand and surf while living in Monterey, Calif.

Ocasio visited the beach frequently while attending Monterey Peninsula College, where he was a sophomore wide receiver on the football team. His primary focus, though, was getting back on the field after missing the first give games with an injury.

He succeeded, well enough to draw attention from numerous four-year colleges — Kansas Wesleyan among them. Considerable research and numerous phone calls from coach Matt Drinkall and his staff convinced Ocasio to transfer to Wesleyan.

It has been a dramatic change from life on the beach, but life on the beach was a dramatic change from Detroit, where Ocasio was born and raised.

Adaptability would seem to top the list of Ocasio’s many skills.

“I definitely miss the beaches compared to here in Salina,” said Ocasio, who stands 6-feet-1 and weighs 211 pounds. “Everything is different, but they’re all great places for me. I’m glad I’m able to come on these journeys and experience going to different places.”

The KWU coaching staff is thrilled Salina is one of those places.

Ocasio has had an immediate impact on the offense, giving the Coyotes a receiver who’s big, fast and seemingly catches everything thrown his direction. He has nine receptions for 211 yards and three touchdowns in KWU’s first two games. He ranks 13th in the NAIA with an average of 105.5 yards receiving per game.

Ocasio caught six passes or 155 yards and two touchdowns in the opener against Olivet Nazarene and had three catches for 56 yards and a score against Concordia (Neb.) two weeks ago.

“If you remember Anquan Boldin when he was playing for the (Arizona) Cardinals, he’s a lot like that kid. He can do everything, he’s a great blocker.”

Ocasio displayed his adaptability after he arrived in Kansas.

“Most difficult part was learning the offense, adjusting to the offense, how the coaches coach — just coming out here and not knowing anyone and having a fresh new start,” he said.

“I’m still learning. I’ve pretty much got everything down pat, but it’s still early in the season so I’m still getting a feel for things.”

Ocasio made another adjustment — this one on the fly — when Kelly Cordova was inserted at quarterback in place of Wes Geisler late in the third quarter of the opener.

Typically, Ocasio took the change in stride, catching two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter.

“Every quarterback does everything different, sees things different, their timing with the receivers is different,” he said. “The change was pretty different, but we just adjust to it as we go and everything’s been good so far.”

Drinkall also has had to adjust, but it’s an enviable task. The Ocasio strategy occasionally has been somewhat simplistic — throw the ball high and let him go up and get it, utilizing the jumping ability he displayed while playing basketball at Cody High School.

“As a receiver I want my quarterback to have that trust in me,” Ocasio said. “With me being a bigger guy I feel like I should always have at least one or two chances to throw it up and trust in me to come down with the ball.”

Ocasio isn’t alone in that regard. Alex Kiriluk, Trent Poe-Evans and Johan Velez are each 6-2 or taller, giving the Coyotes a corps of towering targets.